Flashcards

In an  effort to improve Joy’s vocabulary as well as cognitive function, we have made some flashcards.  They are so fun – they are all of her, her environment, and those around her.  She loves them!

Halloween!

Joy was a clown for Halloween this year!  She had no interest in wearing her hat!

We went to the Hecker’s Annual Halloween Party.  The Heckers are so sweet to our Joy.  We played games and then went trick or treating.

At first Joy was so confused.  She thought we were going visiting.  She wanted to go inside all of the houses.  About half way through she realized that they were giving her candy.   By the time we were done, she had figured out the get candy, put it in the bag idea.  :)

 

Funny and Learning

 

No one will fess up to teaching Joy this.  Who knows maybe she learned it on her own, but when she did it for the first time at the dinner table, we all busted up laughing!  :)

 

 

 

 

Watching Signing Time with Jessi.  Joy is getting quite the impressive signing vocabulary!

Sensory Therapy

We are working, working, working on all kinds of sensory input!  And something is working because she is becoming more and more vocal!  Yea Joy!

 

 

Joy loves her sister Bella!

Therapy

Joy is just too cute!  And a leftie!

She loved the swing – it works her vestibular something.  I don’t remember.  The movement in her inner ear is what we were after.  Believe it or not, it helps with speech.

 

The drink thief  - Joy loves drinks!  Watch the transformation in Joy in the next 3 pictures.  :)

 

Happy Joy…

 

 

 

See the pout?

 

 

 

 

 

And then Becca has given up and Joy is happy again. 

 

 

 

Reading with Sammi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom, one of our night nurses, has fallen in love with Joy. In turn, she loves his french fries.  It was a match made in heaven!  :)

More Therapy Pictures

Joy has a few sensory issues, which we are working on.  Here she is finger painting for the first time.  Fascinated and not interested in getting dirty.

What is that? What do you want me to do?

 Swinging – Joy adores swinging

Joy loves to swing in a blanket.  Whenever she sees one on the ground, she lays on it till we swing her.  :)

 

We love you Joy!

Swallow Study and Lovin’

Friday Joy had her Swallow Study.  It was so cool!  It is a mobile unit.  It looks like a really nice RV, but inside it’s all set up with computers and x-ray machines.  Wonderful for an almost home bound Mama and her 2 year old!

Results:  She has some really weak muscles and her tongue is weak.  She is not all that coordinated.  With thin liquids they start to go down her airway, but with thicker liquids they don’t.  That explains why since thickening her water she has stopped coughing and tearing up.   Joy’s OT feels these are all simple things to fix with therapy – yeah!

Sammi got to watch the swallow study since she was home – another benefit of home schooling.  Very cool!  We have a CD of the whole thing.  It is fascinating to watch her move during an x-ray – to see all of her bones and the liquid and food moving around in her body.  :)

Joy is a very loved and very loving little girl!

What a cute kid!

 

Chocolate Fiend!

We had chocolate ice cream for dessert one night this week and evidently weren’t feeding Joy fast enough!  Two spoons are better than one any day! 

Oral Control & Aspirations

Joy was picked up by Bella’s OT – the specialist in oral motor.  Joy has so many strengths, so we are doing what she calls “fine tuning.”

She watched her drink and says she has every sign of aspirating.  What?  That’s Bella’s deal.  Oh well.    A swallow study has been ordered and we’ll see.  In the meantime, we are thickening her liquids and she is doing so much better!

She is working through the straw hierarchy and we are working on jumping.  Who knew, but those gross motor skills help open up something that helps with speech.

So Busy!

Joy is finally cutting another tooth!  Number 9 here we come!

Joy has graduated from OT from ECI, but they suggested we bring in some private therapies.  So we did – and now Joy is one very busy little girl!

Speech Therapy – three times weekly.

OT – twice weekly.

Developmental services – once weekly.

PT – in process of evaluation.

Joy is developing so much right now.  It is so amazing to watch!  We are really working on her signs and her vocalizations. 

  

 

 

Joy adores her little sister!

Joy wants to hug Bella, hold Bella, tickle Bella, and kiss Bella all the time!

 

 

 

I’m not sure who taught her, but she has learned to walk backwards!  And she makes this sound like a truck when she does it – beep, beep, beep.  Too precious!